5 Foods that are Essential for a Healthy Heart

In today’s fast paced world, a healthy heart comes with healthy living. A heart-smart diet will surely keep your heart at its best. Even studies have shown that 70% of heart diseases are preventable with the right food choices.

Read on to know the 5 foods that are essential for a healthy heart

Oats

Oats are rich in a soluble fibre called beta-glucan. It lowers LDL, or bad cholesterol and is also known to ward off cardiovascular diseases. Scientists have also said that the health benefits of oats for the heart go beyond fibre. A compound called ‘AVE’ i.e., (Avenanthramide) is found only in oats. It plays a vital role in protecting the heart and also suppresses the fatty streak formation in the arteries. Switching to a healthy diet can be a tricky task. The easiest way is to replace oatmeal with rice for a healthy heart.

Spinach

A rich diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Spinach contains vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre that reduce blood pressure. It also includes beta-carotene, vitamin C and other nutrients. They work together to prevent oxidized cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels. Eating spinach also increases the chances of surviving a heart attack. Include this nitrite rich leafy goodness in your

food to lower the risk of heart disease by 11 %.

Dark Chocolates

Cocoa products, such as dark chocolates, are linked with cardiovascular benefits. Eating a little bit of dark chocolate regularly lowers a common, but potentially dangerous heart condition called atrial fibrillation. It was observed that the risk of atrial fibrillation was 20% lower for people who ate 2-6 servings of dark chocolates per week. Dark chocolates contain flavonols which are antioxidants promoting blood vessel function.

Nuts

All types of nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews and hazelnuts are rich in magnesium, fibre, and unsaturated fats that are beneficial for reducing cardiovascular diseases. According to a study, nuts reduce the amount of clot causing lipids in the bloodstream, which in turn leads to more healthy arteries and a stronger heart. Studies say that arteries get a little bit stiffer during the post-meal period, so including nuts into your meals will help in avoiding this, and also cut down major heart diseases by 30%.

Green Tea

Sipping green tea is more than a refreshment. Consuming green tea every day is found to widen the artery, which results in reducing the risk of blood clots, and improving the blood flow. Studies show that drinking green tea every day lowers the risk of death from heart attack or stroke by 26%.

Along with a heart healthy diet, it is also important to monitor your heart’s health through regular tests to ensure that your heart is at its best health. For expert diagnosis and infection-free sample collection, visit your nearest Apollo Diagnostics and get accurate results. You can even avail a free home sample collection by simply calling us at 9205478479. Our expert technicians will diagnose your problem with accuracy and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, thereby enabling your doctor to prescribe the best treatment for you.

To book a test click here: https://www.apollodiagnostics.in/